All Terrain Welding Cart

[miata2k]

Please excuse me if this has been ask too many time, I'm new to this group and still looking around.

I'm looking from some plans for an all terrain welding cart.

I have 3 buildings on a few acres of property and I'm always moving my Millermatic 175 somewhere. I have about 150 feet of "SO" 6/3 cable that I can plug in and get to just about anywhere I need to do work.

Right now I'm using a Harbor Freight "Red Wagon" to move the welder around the property, but it's just not the right tool for the job.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1541

The "Red Wagon" is too narrow and wants to tip over when I'm trying to cross some of the property. It also limits the ability to open the door to make adjustments or change out the wire. I've been using mostly flux core wire since I'm welding outdoors, but I'd like to be able to move the bottle too.
I could also add more features, but right now I need something to move the welder, bottle, and maybe carry the 6/3 extension cord (it's heavy).

The project would be best if it was wide, and low to the ground, but not too wide to fit though a door, or to low not to be able to go over a curb or some rough ground.

I found one for sale; I contacted the people selling it, but never hear a reply.

http://www.allterraincarts.com

A second one I found didn't offer any steering, so I'm not sure how well it would work:

http://www.ctcn.net/~mikecorcoran/weldingcart/weldingcart1.html

Thanks in advance for any help-
-Chuck

[MAC702]

I made mine out of the green flat wagon from Harbor Freight. Strapped a sideways bottle when needed for GMAW, but mostly that work is FCAW anyway for me. I even drug a MM175 around as well. I also bolted down a tool box on the same cart. I had no issues with stability with that set-up.

[wldrman]

Plans?

You don't need plans. Just whip out your tape measure and a pile of scrap and get to weldin'. This way you get what YOU want.

[miata2k]

Maybe not plans..

I guess I'm not really looking for plans, but more Ideas.

I'm pretty new to world of welding. I took a class last year at the local community college and then bought my MM 175 used on a deal I couldn't pass up. I still hope to find a good deal on a AC/DC stick welder. I'd love to get a Maxstar so I could lean to TIG weld next semester, but right now It's a little out of my price range. But while I'm wishing, if I had a MM Passport, I wouldn't need to build a welding cart.

Anyway, since I'm pretty new to this, my pile of steel is still pretty small. I have a few pieces that I used to build a frame for a gate, and some other stuff people have given to me. If I have a good idea what I'm going to build, I'll have better luck when I head out shopping for Steel.

-Chuck

[wldrman]

Apology

I think my first reply sounded a little harsh. It was not meant to be.
I was just trying to say the most gratifying thing about making something is designing and then creating your design. You already seem to know what you want, so you must have a vision. Put your vision on paper and then figure out your materials. Find some old lawn tractor and canabalize the wheels and axle. The rest is metal scrap or the start of your new metal bone yard. Since you already have the cart, all you need to do is frame it up. Keep the wheels at a nice wide stance with low center of gravity but keep your ground clearance.

Somewhere I read the phrase:
DREAM IT! WELD IT!
Just can't seem to remember where??

[ihojeff]

I found one for sale; I contacted the people selling it, but never hear a reply.

http://www.allterraincarts.com

Hello,

I am Jeff Ismail, owner of IH Only North which sells All Terrain Carts. I am also the inventor of this product. Sorry for not getting back to you. I changed hosts for my website earlier this year and lost quite a few emails. Anyhow, everything is back working againg so feel free to contact me for any info on my all terrain welding cart. Or email me dirrect at [email protected] or [email protected] or call 916-652-4706. The carts sell for $359.95 plus shipping. I have a fresh batch of 100 coming next month. Next batch will have blue ones similiar to the color of Miller welders.

I'm new to this site so if I need permission to **** my cart please let me know as I have no problem paying for advertising here. Don't want to step on any toes with ny first post here.

Jeff Ismail
IH Only North
All Terrain Carts

[wldrman]

My personal feelings on this is all selling of goods should be done through ones private e-mail not advertised on a projects forum. With the exception of the host.
Not to mention, if your product is good, someone will post your site.
No anymosity, just my 2c.

[Garfish]

... my pile of steel is still pretty small. I have a few pieces that I used to build a frame for a gate, and some other stuff people have given to me. If I have a good idea what I'm going to build, I'll have better luck when I head out shopping for Steel.

-Chuck

I'm a hack hobbyist. Go to the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore if you got one and you'll find all sorts of steel for next to nothing. Sometimes they just say, 'take it.' I got 2 bedframes yesterday. Also go to a dumpster dropoff in the county on Saturday and people drop off all sorts of stuff. Most landfills now have a swapshop of stuff they think people will haul away. Great source for metal, particular if you need a dead gas grill for a cutting table (per Vicegrip at Hobart Weldtalk) or black pipe, etc.

Take an hacksaw with you to cut it down to fit in the vehicle if you dont have a p.u. I just put the seats down in my old Subaru wagon and I can get a 10' length in and still close the back.

Granted and caution this kind of steel is mystery-meat sometimes, but for me it free or nearly and suitable to my needs. If I need something good, I buy from the local supplier.

My wife asked the other day, How big is that pile gonna get?

[miata2k]

Shopping at the Restore.

Garfish,

Well I headed out to our local Restore. I was really looking for some cabinets for our dog rescue, and free steel, but sitting inside the door I spotted a familiar looking red box. I started to inquire about the red box. The man running the show said it was just dropped off and the person that donated it said he was using it last week. I ask to try it out and they gave me the go ahead. So a little tinkering to get the right plug and bam! Works like a champ.

What I found was a older Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 stick machine. Even though the past owner said he used it just last week, I don't really believe it. The Ground clamp and Stinger holder were both brand new still in the bag. The machine was cover in dust and dirt, but still had a bow tied to it. The leads showed no sign of ever being attached to anything. I'm guessing it was a gift that was never used. I'm quite happy with my new/old $75 welder.

I guess I'll just have to wait a little longer to break down and buy that Maxstar.

Thanks for the advice,
Chuck

[HILRUNR]

All terrain welding cart

I used a junked riding mower to build a cart for my Lincoln Weld-n-power 220. I pull it around with a 4-wheeler. Just attach a handle to the steering linkages and strip the frame.

[miata2k]

Scrap Parts...

I used a junked riding mower to build a cart for my Lincoln Weld-n-power 220. I pull it around with a 4-wheeler. Just attach a handle to the steering linkages and strip the frame.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't usually have access to things like junked riding mowers or piles of steel. Where do you guys get all of this stuff, and where do you keep it until your ready to use it?!?! My better half would have a fit if we just had piles of stuff lying around that you could see from the driveway or street. I still hear about how ugly my 40' shipping container looks to visitors, and its hiding behind a fence and some trees. (Maybe I just need to paint it the same color as the field behind it.)

I did however find some scrap angle and some wheels so I'll be tinkering this weekend on some type of cart. Right after I weld up the frame for my gate.

-Chuck

[sjmiller]

You know want you don't want (Red Wagon) and you know what you need.The next step should be easy - design what you want and fabricate it. Once completed - share your project with the rest of us.

Steve

[Danny]

A little off the subject of building the cart---- but......... As far as the comment about hauling 10' lengths in the Subaru with the seats down. I have used a "Ru" wagon for my econo-material hauler for years- I made a removable front rack and haul all my lengths up top. Able to hual the 20 footers as long as they are not too thin and flimsy, if they are I just pick up a piece of angle and bungee them togeather in a few spots and strap it to the rack. 33 m.p.g. - $600 heavy hauler. I have built about 20 of these types of racks for the local hanggliding people who haul their gliders on their roof racks.
thought people may find it interesting????? or maybe not ?

[fyoung]

Ru

Dan, I'm from the country and I don't know what RU is..can you explain?
Thanks, Farris

[teknition]

Su ba RU